March 28, 1940 – April 16, 2023
William “Bill” K. Burris Jr. died peacefully on 16 of April at the Woodlawn Care Center in Newport New Hampshire at the age of 83.
William K. Burris Jr. was born on March 28, 1940 in Glasgow Montana to William K. Burris and Olivia M. Burris.
Young Mr. Burris attended Montana State University for two years prior to completion of his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane Washington in 1965
In 1966 Dr. Burris joined the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps.
In 1966 Lieutenant Burris married Suzzanne Belle Smith who he met during this final year at Veterinary School.
Lieutenant Colonel Burris served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, during which time he obtained a Masters Degree in Food Technology, and worked on the team that developed the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) military rations. During his 20 years of service his duty stations included Fort Lee Virginia, where his first son William K. Burris III was born in 1969, Natick Labs in Massachusetts, where his second son John M. Burris was born in 1971, Saint Paul Minnesota, Green Bay Wisconsin, Nürnberg Germany, and Silver Spring Maryland.
Following his retirement from the Army in 1986, William Burris, Licensed Sanitarian, worked for ten years for the State of Maryland as a Health Inspector. He was noted for always refusing promotions to prevent becoming desk bound.
In 1996 Bill moved to Wilmot NH, and took on the role of Site Manager for Camp Wilmot. He has been active in the region ever since. For a time he even worked as “Lunch Lady” at Kearsarge Regional Middle School and served as a volunteer for the after school programs.
Bill was an active member of Elkins Chapel, and was a common sight at the farmers market with toys and games.
To his dying day he strongly supported Camp Wilmot and its ministry. Many in the area are familiar with his quiet requests for “camperships” to help disadvantaged children attend summer camp.
Surviving family members include both his sons and their children, Tierra, James, Alexis and Logan.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 2:30 PM at the Wilmot Baptist Church, 61 Village Road Wilmot, NH 03287, with a reception to follow at the Red Barn, 65 Village Road Wilmot, NH 03287
All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill’s life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bill Burris Campership Fund. Mail checks payable to CAMP WILMOT (with notation: Bill Burris Campership) to Camp Wilmot, 5 Whites Pond Road, Wilmot NH 03287. Each fully funded campership is $450. Camp Wilmot respectfully requests that funds be sent prior to May 1.